U.S. patent number 8,797,686 [Application Number 12/978,242] was granted by the patent office on 2014-08-05 for magnetic recording transducer with short effective throat height and method of fabrication.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Western Digital (Fremont), LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Zhigang Bai, Shaoping Li, Peng Luo, Ut Tran. Invention is credited to Zhigang Bai, Shaoping Li, Peng Luo, Ut Tran.
United States Patent |
8,797,686 |
Bai , et al. |
August 5, 2014 |
Magnetic recording transducer with short effective throat height
and method of fabrication
Abstract
A magnetic recording transducer for use in a data storage device
includes a writer pole with a ABS surface, trailing edge bevel and
a trailing shield. The effective throat height of the writer main
pole is reduced by the use two gap layers between the writer main
pole and the trailing shield. A first gap layer is on and in
contact with the writer pole trailing surface, and a second gap
layer is on a section of the first gap layer on the writer pole
trailing edge bevel, from a point removed from the ABS surface and
absent from a part on a section of the first gap layer on the
writer pole trailing edge bevel nearest the ABS. A method of
fabricating the transducer is also provided.
Inventors: |
Bai; Zhigang (Milpitas, CA),
Luo; Peng (San Ramon, CA), Li; Shaoping (San Ramon,
CA), Tran; Ut (San Jose, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bai; Zhigang
Luo; Peng
Li; Shaoping
Tran; Ut |
Milpitas
San Ramon
San Ramon
San Jose |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
(Fremont, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
51229073 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/978,242 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/125.15;
360/119.04; 360/119.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
5/3163 (20130101); G11B 5/315 (20130101); G11B
5/3116 (20130101); G11B 5/232 (20130101); G11B
5/1278 (20130101); G11B 5/235 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
5/31 (20060101); G11B 5/23 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;360/125.11,125.15,125.21,125.48,125.53,119.02,119.03,119.04,119.07 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Renner; Craig A.
Claims
We claim:
1. A magnetic recording transducer for use in a data storage
device, comprising: a writer pole with a trailing side and a
leading side opposite the trailing side, the trailing side
comprising: a non-beveled surface beginning at a first vertex, the
non-beveled surface extending in a direction away from an Air
Bearing Surface (ABS); a first trailing side beveled section
beginning at the first vertex and extending from the first vertex
in a direction toward the ABS; the first trailing side beveled
section beveled at a first bevel angle (.alpha.) from a direction
perpendicular to the ABS; the leading side comprising a leading
side beveled section; a first gap layer on and in contact with the
non-beveled surface and the first trailing side beveled section; a
second gap layer on a first section of the first gap layer and
absent from a second section of the first gap layer, wherein the
second section of the first gap layer on the first trailing side
beveled section is nearer to the ABS than the first section,
wherein the second gap layer has a thickness forming an edge, the
edge forming a second bevel angle (.beta.) from the direction
perpendicular to the ABS, and .beta. is less than 90 degrees; a
write coil; a coil insulator on the second gap layer, wherein a
portion of the write coil is embedded in the coil insulator; and a
trailing shield on at least a portion of the first gap layer and on
at least a portion of the second gap layer, wherein the portion of
the second gap layer comprises a surface that is substantially
perpendicular to the ABS.
2. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the
trailing shield is on at least a portion of the non-beveled
surface.
3. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein .alpha. is
between 0 and 45 degrees.
4. The magnetic recording transducer of claim 1, wherein an
effective throat height of the magnetic recording transducer is
about equal to a distance between the edge of the second gap layer
and the ABS.
5. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein .beta. is
greater than 30.
6. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein .alpha. is
less than .beta..
7. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the
distance from the ABS to the second gap layer is 20-150 nm.
8. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the
thickness of the trailing shield is 150-500 nm.
9. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the
thickness of the first gap layer is 15-50 nm.
10. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the
thickness of the second gap layer is 15-200 nm.
11. The magnetic recording transducer of claim 1, wherein the first
gap layer comprises non-magnetic material.
12. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 1, wherein the first
gap layer and second gap layer comprise Al2O3, SiO2, NiCr, NiNb,
Ru, Cr, or Ta.
13. The magnetic recording transducer in claim 12, wherein the
first gap layer and second gap layer comprise different materials
that can be selectively etched.
14. A disk drive comprising: a slider including a magnetic
recording transducer, the magnetic recording transducer including:
a writer pole with a trailing side and a leading side opposite the
trailing side, the trailing side comprising: a non-beveled surface
beginning at a first vertex, the non-beveled surface extending in a
direction away from an Air Bearing Surface (ABS); a first trailing
side beveled section beginning at the first vertex and extending
from the first vertex in a direction toward the ABS; the first
trailing side beveled section beveled at a first bevel angle (a)
from a direction perpendicular to the ABS; the leading side
comprising a leading side beveled section; a first gap layer on and
in contact with the non-beveled surface and the first trailing side
beveled section; a second gap layer on a first section of the first
gap layer and absent from a second section of the first gap layer,
wherein the second gap layer has a thickness forming an edge, the
edge forming a second bevel angle (.beta.) from the direction
perpendicular to the ABS, and .beta. is less than 90 degrees,
wherein: the second section of the first gap layer on the first
trailing side beveled section is nearest the ABS; a write coil; a
coil insulator on the second gap layer, wherein a portion of the
write coil is embedded in the coil insulator; and a trailing shield
on at least a portion of the first gap layer and on at least a
portion of the second gap layer, wherein the portion of the second
gap layer comprises a surface that is substantially perpendicular
to the ABS.
Description
BACKGROUND
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional disk drive 10 used for data
storage. FIGS. 1, 1a, and 1b are not drawn to scale and only
certain structures are depicted for clarity. Disk media 50 is
attached to spindle motor and hub 20. The spindle motor and hub 20
rotate the media 50 in a direction shown by arrow 55. Head Stack
assembly (HSA) 60 includes a magnetic recording head 30 on actuator
arm 70 and positions actuator arm 70 by positioning the voice coil
motor (VCM) 25 over a desired data track, shown as recording track
40 in this example, to write data onto the media 50.
FIG. 1a illustrates an enlarged view of area 30 of FIG. 1. A
magnetic recording transducer 90 is fabricated on slider 80. Slider
80 may be attached to suspension 75 and suspension 75 may be
attached to actuator arm 70 as shown in FIG. 1b.
Referring again to FIG. 1a, Slider 80 is illustrated above
recording track 40. Media 50 and track 40 are moving under slider
80 in an in-track direction shown by arrow 42. The cross-track
direction is shown by arrow 41.
The magnetic recording transducer 90 has a leading edge 91 and a
trailing edge 92. In this embodiment, the trailing edge 92 of
recording transducer 90 is the final portion of magnetic transducer
90 that writes onto the recording track 40 as the media moves under
the slider 80 in direction 42.
FIG. 1b illustrates a side view of the disk drive 10 shown in FIG.
1. At least one disk media 50 is mounted onto spindle motor and hub
20. HSA 60 comprises at least one actuator arm 70 that carries
suspension 75 and slider 80. Slider 80 has an air bearing surface
(ABS) facing media 50. When the media is rotating and actuator arm
70 is positioned over the media 50, slider 80 floats above media 50
by aerodynamic pressure created between the slider ABS and the
surface of media 50 facing the ABS of slider 80.
BRIEF SUMMARY
A magnetic recording transducer for use in a data storage device
includes a writer pole with a ABS surface, trailing edge bevel and
a trailing shield. The effective throat height of the writer main
pole is reduced by the use two gap layers between the writer main
pole and the trailing shield. A first gap layer is on and in
contact with the writer pole trailing surface, and a second gap
layer is on a section of the first gap layer on the writer pole
trailing edge bevel, from a point removed from the ABS surface and
absent from a part on a section of the first gap layer on the
writer pole trailing edge bevel nearest the ABS. A method of
fabricating the transducer is also provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional disk drive in a top view.
FIG. 1a illustrates a more detailed view of an area shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 1b illustrates side view of the disk drive shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 2 illustrates an ABS view of a writer portion of a transducer
with shield areas.
FIG. 2a-c illustrate writer transducer geometry alternatives.
FIG. 3 illustrates an ABS view of a writer transducer and
shields.
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in side view.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a bevel
pole.
FIG. 6 illustrates and embodiment of the invention with pole with a
second bevel section with greater bevel angle.
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with pole with a
second bevel section with a smaller bevel angle.
FIG. 8 illustrates and embodiment of the invention with second
bevel and second gap layer on a portion of the second bevel.
FIG. 9 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the invention with a
single bevel.
FIG. 10 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the invention with a
second bevel
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a fabrication process in an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12a-f illustrates fabrication process steps in an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 2 illustrates an ABS view of magnetic recording transducer
205. The ABS view is the view looking at the ABS from the viewpoint
of the media surface. Main pole 200 of magnetic recording
transducer 205 is separated from surrounding structures by
nonmagnetic gap 203. Main pole 200 has leading edge 202 on the
leading side of main pole 200 and a trailing edge 201 on the
trailing side of main pole 200. Recording transducer 205 has side
shield areas 230 on the sides of main pole 200 between leading
shield area 220 and trailing shield area 240. Embodiments of the
invention may include magnetic shields in any or all of the side
shield areas 230, the leading shield area 220, and/or the trailing
shield area 240.
The trapezoidal pole shape 200 shown in FIG. 2 is conventional in
perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR); however, other shapes may
also be used. FIG. 2a illustrates a trapezoidal shape 200a with
optional curved trailing edge 255. FIG. 2b illustrates a pole 200b
with triangular shape, and FIG. 2c illustrates a pole 200c with
rectangular shape. In FIGS. 2a-c, pole edges illustrated with
straight lines may also be implemented as curved or faceted. In
FIGS. 2a-c, main pole 200a-c have a leading edge 250, and a
trailing edge 260. Those of skill in the art will recognize that
these shapes, combinations or variations of these shapes, and other
shapes may be used without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of PMR transducer 300
shown in view from the ABS. Main pole 301 is depicted as a PMR
trapezoidal pole with an optional leading shield 303, nonmagnetic
gap material 302, side shields 304, write gap 305, and trailing
shield 320.
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a side view of
read/write head 400 incorporating a write transducer 450 and read
sensor 410. For clarity, figures are not to scale. FIG. 3 depicts
an ABS view of PMR transducer 300 only, while FIG. 4 depicts a side
view of read/write head 400 with ABS 490, including read sensor 410
and PMR transducer 450. The read sensor 410 may include shields 411
and 413 as well as sensor 412. PMR transducer 450 shown in FIG. 4
includes shield 414, main pole 401, assist pole 401', coils 440 and
440', and trailing shield 420. Main pole 401 has trailing bevel
401a. PMR transducer 450 may also include underlayer or optional
leading shield 415, nonmagnetic layer 416, first gap layer 405, and
second gap layer 407. Second gap layer 407 has edge 408. A portion
of the write coils 440 and 440' is embedded in a coil insulator
directly on the second gap layer 407 as shown in FIG. 4. Other
and/or different components may be fabricated in other embodiments.
For example, optional leading shield 303 shown in FIGS. 3 and 415
in FIG. 4 may be included. In addition, main pole 401 is shown
including optional leading edge bevel 401b. However, in some
embodiments, the bevel 401b may be omitted. In some embodiments,
coupling layers, stop layers and/or seed layers may also remain
between layers as part of the fabrication process.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in write
transducer 500 with writer pole 510. Writer pole 510 has pole tip
555 with trailing edge 550 and leading edge 560. The trailing side
of write pole 510 has a non beveled surface 511 and first beveled
section 514. The first beveled section 514 begins at first vertex
512 at first bevel angle .alpha. 513 when measured from the angle
515 that is perpendicular to ABS 570. References toward the ABS are
shown by arrow 575, and directions away from the ABS are in the
opposite direction. Writer pole 510 may comprise any suitable
material, for example, FeCo, FeNi, CoFeNi, or alloys of FeCo.
First gap layer 520 is on and in contact with the trailing side of
writer pole 510. Second gap layer 530 is on and in contact with
first gap layer 520 on a first section 502 of first gap layer 520
that ends at second gap layer end 533. Second gap layer 530 is
absent from a second section 503 of first gap layer 520. In some
embodiments, the thickness of first gap layer is 520 is
approximately 15-50 nm.
First gap layer 520 and second gap layer 530 may comprise Al2O3,
SiO2, NiCr, NiNb, Ru, Cr, Ta, or other nonmagnetic materials.
Second gap layer 530 has edge 532 at second bevel angle .beta.
measured from an angle 515 perpendicular to the ABS 570.
First gap layer 520 has first gap layer thickness 525; and second
gap layer 530 has second gap layer thickness 535. In some
embodiments, thickness 535 of the second gap layer 530 may be
approximately 15-200 nm.
In embodiments of the invention, first gap layer 520 and second gap
layer 530 may comprise different material that can be selectively
etched.
In further embodiments of the invention, first gap layer 520 and
second gap layer 530 may comprise Al2O3, SiO2, NiCr, NiNb, Ru, Cr,
or Ta.
Trailing shield 540 is on and in contact with the second section of
first gap layer 503 and at least a portion of the second gap layer
530. The portion of the second gap layer 530 includes a top surface
that is substantially perpendicular to the ABS 570. Trailing shield
540 extends from ABS 570 to a total throat height 501. The
thickness of the trailing shield 640 is the total throat height 501
and in some embodiments may be approximately 150-500 nm.
Trailing shield 540 on top of the second section 503 of first gap
layer 520 changes the effective throat height of pole tip 555 to be
reduced from the total throat height 501 to an effective throat
height that is the distance from the ABS 570 to the second gap
layer end 533. The effective throat height is therefore the length
of second section 503 of the first gap layer 520. The second
section 503 of the second first gap layer 520 may be approximately
20-150 nm.
Trailing shield 540 may comprise any suitable material, for
example, FeCo, FeNi, CoFeNi, or alloys of FeCo.
Reducing the effective throat height has the effect of improving
the magnetic write field produced by write transducer 500 and
improving the effectiveness of trailing shield 540 by allowing
greater thickness of the trailing shield 540 in the direction
perpendicular to the ABS 570.
In some embodiments of the invention, first bevel angle .alpha. 513
may be between 0 and 45 degrees, second bevel angle .beta. 531 may
be between 30 and 90 degrees, and first bevel angle .alpha. 513 is
less than second bevel angle .beta. 531.
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a write
transducer 600 with writer pole 610. Writer pole 610 has two bevels
on the trailing side. The trailing side of writer pole 610 has a
non beveled surface 611 and first beveled section 616. The first
beveled section 616 begins at first vertex 612 at first bevel angle
.alpha. 613 as measured from the angle perpendicular to ABS 670.
Second beveled section 617 begins at second vertex 614 and extends
to the ABS 670 at third bevel angle .theta. 615.
First gap layer 620 is on and in contact with the trailing side of
writer pole 610. Second gap layer 630 is on and in contact with
first gap layer 620 on a first section of first gap layer that ends
at second gap layer end 633. Second gap layer 630 is absent from a
second section of first gap layer 620 from the second gap layer end
633 to the ABS 670.
Second gap layer 630 has edge 632 at second bevel angle .beta. 631
measured from an angle perpendicular to ABS 670. In an embodiment,
third bevel angle .theta. 615 is greater than first angle .alpha.
613.
In some embodiments of the invention, first bevel angle .alpha. 613
may be between 0 and 45 degrees, second bevel angle .beta. may be
between 30 and 90 degrees, and first bevel angle .alpha. 613 is
less than second bevel angle .beta. 631. In a further embodiment,
third bevel angle .theta. 615 may be greater than second bevel
angle 631.
Trailing shield 640 is on and in contact with the first beveled
section 616 of first gap layer 620 and the second beveled section
617 of first gap layer 620 from ABS 670 to second gap layer end
633; and on and in contact with second gap layer 630.
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in a write
transducer 700 with writer pole 710. Writer pole 710 has two bevels
on the trailing side. The trailing side of writer pole 710 has a
non beveled section 711 and first beveled section 716. The first
beveled section 716 begins at first vertex 712 at first bevel angle
.alpha. 713 as measured from the angle perpendicular to ABS 770.
Second beveled section 717 begins at second vertex 714 and extends
to the ABS 770 at third bevel angle .theta. 715. In an embodiment,
angle .theta. 715 is less than first bevel angle .alpha. 713.
Second gap layer 730 has edge 732 at second bevel angle .beta. 731
measured from an angle perpendicular to ABS 770.
Trailing shield 740 is on and in contact with first gap layer 720
from ABS 770 to second gap layer end 733, and on and in contact
with second gap layer 730.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in write
transducer 800 with writer pole 810. Writer pole 810 has two bevels
on the trailing side. The first bevel begins at first vertex 812,
and extends towards ABS 870, ending a second vertex 814. The second
bevel begins at second vertex 814 and extends to ABS 870.
First gap layer 820 is on and in contact with writer pole 810, and
second gap layer is on and in contact with first gap layer 820
ending at second gap layer end 833. Second gap layer end 833 may be
at any point on the bevel between second vertex 814 and ABS 870.
Trailing shield 840 is on and in contact with first gap layer 820
from ABS 870 to second gap layer end 833, and on and in contact
with second gap layer 830.
FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with write
transducer 900, writer pole 910, first gap layer 920, and second
gap layer 930 in a three dimensional view. A first trailing side
bevel begins at first vertex 912 and extends toward pole tip 916.
Second gap layer 930 is on and in contact with first gap layer 920,
and ending at second gap layer end 933. Second gap layer 930 is
absent from the portion 921 of first gap layer 920 between second
gap layer end 933 and pole tip 916.
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with write
transducer 1000 and writer pole 1010, first gap layer 1020, second
gap layer 1030, and optional leading side bevel 1015 in a three
dimensional view. A first trailing side bevel begins at first
vertex 1011 and extends to second vertex 1014. Second trailing edge
bevel begins at second vertex 1014 and extends to pole tip 1016.
Second gap layer 1030 is on and in contact with first gap layer
1020, ending at second gap layer end 1033. Second gap layer 1030 is
absent from a portion 1021 of second bevel between second gap layer
end 1033 and pole tip 1016.
FIG. 11 illustrates process 1100 for fabrication of a writer pole
with shortened throat height in an embodiment of the invention.
Beginning in block 1101, a writer pole with a beveled trailing side
is provided. Methods for fabricating writer poles and for beveling
surfaces are widely documented. In block 1110, a first gap layer is
deposited over the main pole trailing edge. In block 1120, a second
gap layer is deposited on top of and in contact with the first gap
layer. In block 1130, a photoresist or mask is deposited on top of
the second gap layer. Any suitable mask process may be used, and
may include additional conventional steps such as anti-reflective
coatings or thermal processes. In block 1140 the second gap layer
is patterned by etching or developing the photoresist to expose a
portion of the first gap layer, and in block 1150, the photoresist
is removed. In block 1160, a trailing shield is deposited over the
first and second gap layers.
FIGS. 12a-f illustrates process 1200 for fabrication of a writer
pole described in process 1100. Beginning in FIG. 12a, a writer
pole 1201 with a beveled trailing side is provided. In FIG. 12b, a
first gap layer 1210 is deposited over the main pole trailing edge.
In FIG. 12c, a second gap layer 1220 is deposited on top of and in
contact with the first gap layer 1210. In FIG. 12d, a photoresist
or mask 1230 is patterned on top of a portion of second gap layer
1220, leaving an unmasked portion on second gap layer 1220. Angle
incident milling or dry etching 1231 is applied to etch the
unmasked portion of second gap layer 1220. Angle incident milling
may be ion beam milling and dry etching may be reactive ion etch.
In FIG. 12e, photoresist is removed, providing second gap layer
1221, angled edge 1232, second gap layer end 1233, and exposed
section 1222 of first gap layer 1210. In FIG. 12f, trailing shield
1240 is deposited on top of first gap layer 1210 and second gap
layer 1221, providing writer pole 1201 with a trailing shield 1240
having a shortened throat height.
Although the foregoing has been described in terms of certain
embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. Figures are
illustrative and not drawn to scale. For example, non beveled
surfaces may be slightly tilted and beveled surfaces may be
slightly irregular; main pole surfaces may have slight curvature,
concave, or convex; and beveled surfaces may have more than two
vertices without departing from the spirit of the invention. Write
pole tip, shields, and gap layers may be recessed from the ABS in
some embodiments. Shields and poles shown as solids may have
gradients, or have ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic coupling
layers. The described embodiments have been presented by way of
example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein
may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from
the spirit thereof. Thus, the invention is not limited by any
preferred embodiments, but is defined by reference to the appended
claims.
* * * * *